FOOTBALL

Though men's football has been played at every modern Olympics except 1896 and 1932, and the women's since 1996, this year's Games in London is only the second time that New Zealand teams from both sexes have qualified for the event.

At the 2008 Beijing Games, neither the men's nor women's teams made it further than the group stage.

There is no age restriction in the women's event. In the men's competition, all but three of the team must be under 23.

WOMEN'S COMPETITION

New Zealand's national side the Football Ferns are the opening act of the London Olympics, playing hosts Great Britain in Cardiff on 25 July, two days before the Opening Ceremony.

While the New Zealand side is in a tough group, with Cameroon and Brazil, coach Tony Readings has named the most experienced squad ever announced for major tournament.

Ten players have 50 caps or more to their credit, including captain Rebecca Smith, who plays professionally in Germany and Hayley Moorwood, who plays for English club Chelsea in the Women's Super League.

MEN'S COMPETITION

The three over-age players in the Oly Whites are captain Ryan Nelsen, who led the All Whites in the 2010 World Cup and plays for Queens Park Rangers in the English Premiership; striker Shane Smeltz, the all-time leading goal-scorer in Australia's A-League; and Michael McGlinchey, who represented Scotland until changing allegiance to New Zealand - his country of birth - in 2009.

The Oly Whites have 10 other players with full international caps, including established All Whites Tommy Smith and Chris Wood, and up-and-comers Kosta Barbarouses, Marco Rojas and Jake Gleeson.

The New Zealand men have a good chance of getting past the group stage in London, with Brazil, Belarus and Egypt their pool opponents.